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altgrave asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 1 decade ago

what sort of light output do camera flashes have (lumens would be my preferred unit)?

i'm thinking of three or four particular types: phone cameras, disposable cameras, older cameras that use one-time flash cubes, and older cameras that have an integral flash (they can often be found at thrift shops). is there a range of light ouputs? how broad is it, if so? are there different wavelengths of light? are flash cubes still even available? essentially, i'm looking for the cheapest brightest flash (reusable'd be nice), in a hand held, or smaller, size. (i thought physicists might have something to add, here) thanks!

Update:

i'm as specific as i'm able to be. again, basically, i want the cheapest and brightest flash, preferably reusable, in a small (roughly hand sized) package. the other stuff is ancillary. let's say 555 nanometres, for the frequency, if necessary. once more, though - brightest, cheapest, smallest, and reusable. all else is secondary, except that i want a whitish light (555 is green, i understand, but that understanding may be flawed).

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Well, phone camera flashes are a joke, so they're out. I don't know of any cameras with one-time flash cubes, but then I'm not an old-timer.

    Disposable cameras would seem a good bet, depending on how easy it is to rig up a power supply. This will depend on model.

    Older point-and-shoot cameras with an integral flash are probably the best out of what you've mentioned. They would give you the best quality and brightness, and they should be attached to a battery compartment that takes AA cells, which will make life easier.

    If you can go a bit larger there are loads of dedicated SLR flashes on eBay, which will be massively brighter than anything you've mentioned and potentially just as cheap.

    The next step is to look into strobe lights. I've chucked in a few links, but without knowing what your project actually is, it's a bit hard to say what would suit!

    One possibility is the strobe beacons from emergency vehicles. They're smallish, and run off 12v.

    If you want to know the exact ratings for every make and model, you can bloody well do your own homework :)

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You have far too many questions here where the answers vary with type and in some cases variable within type.

    Lumen's is a measure of candle power and is usually associated with x lumen's on the working plane. The power of a flash is measured at its source and obviously varies with its distance from the subject. Then you need to specify what the polar spread will be and the colour temperature needed. Yes there are very very many different wavelengths of light, far too many I might suggest for you to become involved with unless you are thinking of making a Spectroscope?

    As for using the different hardware found in thrift shops?

    The power of each will vary in proportion to your shopping trips.

    I am afraid you need to be specific.

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Camera Flash Lumens

  • 5 years ago

    they're specifically blurred pondering the actuality that, and not using a flash, the digital camera is picking a low shutter speed. you may inspect 2 concerns. strengthen the ISO to, say, 1600 or extra. Or, in Aperture priority mode, pick a lots wider aperture only so the digital camera selects a stronger speed and reduces action blur.

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